AR Surgical Guide Alignment for Intramedullary Nail Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical guide systems for intramedullary nailing surgeries rely on X-ray imaging, which compromises surgical accuracy, exposes patients and surgeons to radiation, and is costly, while failing to account for varying patient bone sizes and nail configurations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical guide system using a reference guide member coupled to a fixed object and a control unit to determine the position and orientation of surgical tools relative to a reference frame, providing visual guidance through augmented or mixed reality to align tools with predetermined features without X-ray imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging techniques are used to guide surgical procedures, then the ability to locate apertures for affixing screws is improved, but the accuracy of drilling is reduced and patients are exposed to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system (camera, display device, virtual image) that mediates between the surgeon and the surgical site. Instead of directly viewing through X-ray imaging, the surgeon views optical images of the surgical site with overlaid virtual markers indicating aperture locations, thereby eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining guidance accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the surgical site and instruments through optical imaging and augmented reality visualization. The virtual image displays approximate locations of apertures, providing guidance without requiring direct X-ray imaging during the procedure
2Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging techniques are used to guide surgical procedures, then the ability to locate apertures is improved, but patient health risks increase due to radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful X-ray radiation component from the surgical guidance system while retaining the essential function of locating apertures. The system uses optical imaging and computational algorithms to determine aperture locations without ionizing radiation, thereby eliminating health risks to patients and surgical team members
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation of the surgical site using optical copies and augmented reality overlays. This virtual copy provides aperture location information without requiring physical X-ray imaging, thereby eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining guidance functionality
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional guidance systems are used, then surgical accuracy may be improved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical guidance systems with an optical and computational system. Instead of using expensive mechanical robots or specialized imaging equipment, the system uses standard cameras, display devices, and software algorithms to achieve surgical guidance, thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual copies and optical images instead of expensive physical guidance mechanisms. The system creates digital representations of the surgical site and instruments, providing guidance through software-based solutions rather than costly hardware systems
4Measurement precision
If surgeons continuously check display screens for alignment, then aperture location accuracy is improved, but surgical focus is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the visual information from the surgical site and the guidance information from display screens into a single unified view. The augmented reality display overlays virtual markers directly onto the optical image of the surgical site, allowing surgeons to see both the actual anatomy and the guidance information simultaneously without shifting focus between separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtual dimension to the physical surgical field by overlaying digital markers onto the optical view. This creates a layered visualization where surgical guidance information exists in the same visual plane as the actual surgical site, eliminating the need to shift focus between different dimensional spaces (screen vs. surgical field)
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical guide system for assisting a user controlling a surgical tool, comprising: a first reference guide member, operably coupleable to a fixed object having at least one predetermined feature, configured to define a first reference frame within a three- dimensional space; a control unit, adapted to capture an image of at least said fixed object and identify, from a predetermined list comprising a plurality of fixed objects, said fixed object, and provide a first input signal indicative of said identified fixed object, further adapted to determine the position and orientation of said at least one predetermined feature relative to said first reference frame based on said first input signal, and provide a first output signal on a visual output device adapted to guide the user moving, positioning and orientating the surgical tool towards and into engagement with said predetermined feature.